For many of us,
PvP has always been the ultimate endgame. Back in Diablo 2, PvP wasn’t just a side activity—it was the reason we perfected our builds, hunted for charms, debated gear choices, and pushed ourselves to the limit. Whether it was testing our mettle in Act 1 duels or outsmarting opponents with creative builds, PvP was where the game truly came alive.
When Path of Exile came along, it captured that same spirit of theorycrafting and build mastery. We’ve explored every corner of Wraeclast, from dominating Delve to topping Lab leaderboards, creating ingenious builds like reverse-freeze specialists or impale barbs. PoE’s complexity and freedom have given us incredible tools to express ourselves as players.
But let’s be honest—PvP in PoE 1 never reached its full potential. It was too fast, too chaotic, and lacked the balance needed to make it competitive and rewarding. Between off-screening mechanics, max-block builds, and abilities with no real caps, PvP became more frustrating than fun. Add to that the prevalence of third-party tools like PoEHUD, and it’s no wonder PvP lost its appeal for so many players.
Disclaimer: I haven’t seen a recent post about this on the forums. I looked around a bit, but most of the PvP discussion seems to happen on Reddit. That said, I think it’s important to bring this conversation here because this is where our community shines. This forum has always been a home for thoughtful discussions, honest questions, and a welcoming atmosphere. These are my people.
When I first started PoE, a complete stranger spent hours helping me understand the game, expecting nothing in return. That kind of generosity and kindness is what makes this community special. Whether it’s answering questions, saying “good duel” after a match, or helping new players feel at home, this forum embodies what makes PoE great.
Cheating and PoEHUD’s Impact on PvP PoEHUD and similar tools made it impossible to have a level playing field. Max zoom-outs, map hacks, auto-flasking—these cheats gave an unfair advantage that ruined the experience for anyone playing legitimately. Let’s not sugarcoat it: I’ve been there. I used map hacks in Diablo 2 and even early on in PoE 1 because, at the time, I saw them as part of the game. But after eating a ban and reflecting on it, I realized how much these tools undermine the spirit of fair competition.
I recently spoke with a friend who has over 7,500 hours in PoE and never used a map hack. Hearing their perspective reminded me just how much these tools alienated players who wanted to enjoy the game as intended. Cheating was a huge turnoff for the community, especially in PvP, where skill and strategy should have been the deciding factors—not unfair advantages.
Thankfully, there seems to be progress on this front. It looks like GGG has implemented better scanning processes to detect these tools, but some players are still getting around it with standalone versions. For PvP to thrive in PoE 2, we need a firm commitment to keeping the game clean. Let’s support GGG in enforcing fair play so PvP can truly shine.
A Note on RMT Look, I don’t care about real-money trading (RMT). People have work, and if they trade their time for money, so be it. GGG can’t realistically stop RMT, and it’s just part of the ecosystem. But cheating? That’s where the line has to be drawn. Tools like PoEHUD, map hacks, and auto-flasking ruin the game for everyone who plays legitimately, and they’ve got to go.
Why PoE 2 is the Perfect Opportunity Now, with PoE 2, we have a chance to bring PvP back stronger than ever. The game is slower, more tactical, and designed with greater accessibility in mind. These changes aren’t just for newcomers—they’re opportunities for all of us. Slower combat and more deliberate mechanics open the door for balanced and skill-based PvP. Imagine a system that rewards careful planning, strategic decision-making, and teamwork—a PvP experience that feels as fulfilling as PvE progression.
Let’s Ask for PvP, Together We know that Grinding Gear Games listens to its community. They’ve shown time and again that they care deeply about what we want and how we play. The changes in PoE 2 already reflect that love and attention to detail. This is our chance to show GGG how much PvP matters to us. Let’s respectfully ask for a PvP system that matches the depth and creativity of the game itself.
A revitalized PvP system could be the perfect endgame—a reason to optimize every aspect of our builds, to experiment with mechanics, and to test our skills against each other. It’s not just about competition—it’s about creating a shared experience that brings us together as a community.
So let’s celebrate the potential of PoE 2, and let’s make our voices heard: We want PvP to come back, better than ever—and we’re ready to support GGG in creating the best possible environment for it.
TL;DR
PvP has the potential to be an incredible endgame in PoE 2, especially with its slower pace and improved mechanics. Cheating tools like PoEHUD ruined PvP in PoE 1, but we can encourage GGG to maintain a fair environment and bring back a balanced, skill-based PvP experience. Let’s work together as a community to show our support for a revitalized PvP system—it could be one of the best moves for the game’s future!
